August 6, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 7, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: The All-Pakistan Minorities’ Alliance (APMA) observed a day of protest throughout the country on Tuesday to condemn alleged incidence of terrorism against religious minorities.

According to a press release, the APMA staged protest demonstrations in front of provincial assemblies and in other major cities.

It said the participants wore black arm-bands, chanted slogans and held banners inscribed with slogans such as: “Stop killing innocent Christians, arrest the culprits, etc”.

The APMA demanded immediate arrest of the killers of Father George Ibrahim, who was gunned down on July 4 in a Church compound at Renala Khurd, Okara district.

It said despite demand for the arrest of the culprits by the Christian community, Church leaders and minority organizations, the accused were still at large.

“The growing attacks on minorities have increased fear and insecurity among the communities,” Mr Shahbaz Bhatti, the APMA chairman, said in the statement. He said minorities were being targeted everywhere by terrorist organizations and the government should take steps to eliminate the terrorist outfits and not allow the banned organizations to rename and regroup themselves.

“Minorities are patriotic citizens and ready to sacrifice everything for integrity, defence and prosperity of the country,” he added.